Apparatus for manufacture of loose-leaf binder

ABSTRACT

An entirely automatic apparatus for fabricating loose-leaf binders includes a first station for receiving the binder cover and for punching holes in the cover. The cover is then transported to a second station where it is automatically combined with spine members which are fastened to the cover. Then, the cover passes to a third station where a metal is positioned against the spine of the binder. Thence, the binder passes through a fourth station which fastens the metal to the spine members.

United" States Patent 1 Mjos et al,

[ 1 Oct. 23, 1973 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF LOOSE-LEAF BINDER [75]lnventorsz Clarence B. Mjos, Golden Valley;

Reed Stockwell, Columbia Heights,

both of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Meredith Corporation, Des Moines,

. lowa I v [22] Filed: Dec. 13,1971

21 Appl. No.: 207,367

[52] U.S. Cl. 29/208 D, 29/200 A [51] Int. Cl B23 19/04, B23p 19/00 [58]Field of Search 29/208 D, 211 D,

. 29/208 R, 211 R, 200 A [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,718,018 9/1955 Hildmann l1/1 CD 3,175,847 3/1965 McKowen 281/36Primary Examiner--Thomas H. Eager Attorney-A. W. Molinare et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An entirely automatic apparatus for fabricating looseleafbinders includes a first station for receiving the binder cover and forpunching holes in the cover. The cover is then transported to a secondstation where it is automatically combined with spine members which arefastened to the cover. Then, the cover passes to a third station where ametal is positioned against the spine of the binder. Thence, the binderpasses through a fourth station which fastens the metal to the spinemembers.

35 Claims, 31 Drawing Figures VET STATION PATENTEUHBIZBIBH I T 3.7es;s2eSHEET 010? 13 SPINE STATION FIRST FOLD METAL STATION RIVET STATIONINVENTORs: CLARENCE B. NIJOS REED G. STOCKWELL ATT'YS mmm'mzams-3.7661626 FIG.7

INVENTORSI gLARENCE B. MJOS EED G.STOCKWELL ATT'YS PMENTEUnm 23 I973 sumuser 13 L a L ROE m E NM s E. Y

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' PATENTEDUBI 23 ms- SIIEET 08 0F 13 I N VIiN TURS CLARENCE arvwos REEDG. STOCKWELL PATENTEnumzsms 3.786.626 sum 080F13 INVENTORS. CLARENCE B.MJOS REED G. STOCKWELL PATENTEDUBI 23 I975 3. 766,626 SHfiEI USUF 13INVENTORS CLARENCE B. IVIJOS REED G. STOCKWELL v ATT'YS PATENTEUUUZSIQH.6.766626 INVENTORS! CLARENCE B. MJOS REED G. STOCKWELL ATT'YSPmiminnmams 3.766.626

. sum. nor 13 I2 242 Ii-Hr l4 FIGZO [A'VLiY/ORS CLARENCE B. MJOS REED e.STOCKWELL ATT' YS PATENTEUUBT 23 m5 3.766.626

' SHEET 13M 13 INVENTORS. 1 1 CLARENCE B. mos REED e. STOCKWELL BY:Zak/uni ATT YS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to anapparatus for the construction of a loose-leaf binder. Generally,binders can be classified into three categories. 1) A cut-flush orone-piece binder is comprised of a single case or outside covercooperable with a metal utilized to hold inner loose-leaf sheets. (2) Avinyl binder of the concealed or exposed rivet type includes a casefabricated from a pair of outer sheets, usually vinyl. The sheets areheat sealed together about a center board and a metal is then attachedbymeans of rivets to the case or cover fabricated from the vinyl sheets.(3) The turned-edge or three-piece binder of the concealed or exposedrivet type includes a pair of fiberboards glued to a cover. The edges ofthe cover are thenturnedover the fiberboard and a liner or lining issecured to the opposite sides of the fiberboard. A metal is thenattached by means of rivets or the like to the centerof the coverfabricated from the fiberboards.

Thus, in general, the binder includes a case, which is the outsidecovering portion of the binder, and a metal, which is attached to thecase by some means and is utilized to hold the sheets of paper ormaterial in the binder.There are numerous types of metals such as prong,ring and post metals aswill be recognized by those skilled in the art.

The binders as described above are typically manufactured' by manualoperation or by a semi-automatic operation requiring a great amount ofmanual labor. In the example of the invention which will follow, theturned-edge ofthree-piece type of binder is discussed in detail. Atypical apparatus utilized to make a specific embodiment of aturned-edge or three-piece binder is disclosed in the prior art patentto Hildmann, US. Pat. No. 2,718,018. The apparatus disclosed in theHild-. mann patent as well as the binder which the apparatusmanufactures is an excellent .product and many millions of binders ofthis type have been made and utilized. I

However, in us. Pat. No. 3,175,847, there is disclosed an improved"binder construction which has great utility for loose-leaf publications,While the binder shown in the No. 3,175,847 patent is an improved,useful binder, such a binder is commercially desirable only if it can bemanufactured inexpensively and in volume numbers. Such a manufacturingoperation desirably requires a minimum number of manual operations or,in other words, a maximum amount of mechanization.

The present invention is apparatus designed to manufacture and assemblea binder of the type disclosed in the No. 3,175,847 patent.Additionally, the present invention may be utilized for the manufactureof numerous other types of binders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect, the present inventioncomprises an improved mechanized apparatus for the manufacture of abinder of the type including a case, at least one spine member, a metaland fastening means for fastening the metal and spine to the case. Theapparatus includes means for making openings in the case at a desiredposition, means for then positioning the spine against the case tocooperate therewith, means for subvide apparatus for the manufacture ofa binder which automatically fabricates the components of the binderinto a finished product without any manual fabrication operations.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatusfor the manufacture of the binder, which apparatus is operable at highspeeds and at the same time is reliable.

One further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatusfor automatic manufacture of a binder of the type which includes a case,at least one spine member, a metal and fastening means for holding themetal and spine member in cooperative relationship with the case.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide animproved apparatus for the manufacture of a binder including means forprecisely positioning and attaching a spine member and a metal to thecase of a binder.

; One further object of the present invention is to provide apparatusfor the manufacture of a binder, which apparatus operates in sequentialsteps to perform the manufacturing operation of the binder without theintervention of manual operations.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be set forth in greater detail in the description whichfollows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description whichfollows, reference will be made to the drawings comprised of thefollowing FIGURES:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical assembled binder;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a binder of a'type which theapparatus of the present invention may be utilized to fabricate;

FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view of the configuration of the spinemembers included in a binder of a type shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a binder of the type shown in FIG. 2;

FIG.'5 is a schematic, plan view of the arrangement of the operatingstations of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of the stations and operation ofthe improved apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present inventionillustrating the entire assembled apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a graphical representation of the sequence of operationsperformed by the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial, perspective view illustrating the first station ofthe apparatus of the invention, which station is utilized to preciselypunch openings in the case of the binder;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the underside of the apparatus shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic showing the control circuitry for thefirst station of the improved apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the punch and alignment mechanismof the first station of the present invention taken substantially alongthe line 12-12 in FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a cut-away elevation of the drive and control cam arrangementof the second station of the present invention which is utilized toprecisely position the spine members of the binder in cooperation withthe case of the binder;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 13taken substantially along the line 14-14;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged, perspective view of a portion of the apparatusshown in FIG. 14 utilized to position a cover sheet for the spine inrelation to the case of the binder;

FIG. 15A is a partial diagrammatic view of the case in feed mechanism ofthe second station;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the portion of the apparatus shown inperspective in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the plate incorporated as a portion ofthe apparatus shown in FIG. 15, which plate is utilized to transport acover member for the spine of a binder;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the pocket construction whichcomprise a portion of the second station illustrated in FIG. 13; I

FIG. 19 is a series of twelve schematic figures illustrating theoperation of the second station illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a partial, perspective view of the apparatus of the secondstation which positions the spine members of the binder in cooperationwith the case of the binder;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged, perspective view of the arrangement utilized toposition the spine members of the binder in cooperation with the case,this arrangement having been previously illustrated in cross-sectionalview in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21A is a cross-sectional view of the pocket assembly of the secondstation;

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line2222 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the construction utilized toposition one spine member in cooperation with the case of the bindertaken substantially along the line 23-23 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 is an elevational view of the mechanism utilized to position thespine cover against a spine member at the second station of theapparatus;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the mechanism utilized to operate acompression driving member against the spine members of the binder, andthus maintain the spine members in a fixed position in conjunction withthe case of the binder;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the mechanism for transporting the caseand associated spine members from the second station of the apparatustaken substantially along the line 26-26 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the third station shutter mechanism forpositioning a metal in cooperation with the spine members of a binder;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the fourth station riveting mechanismutilized to attach the metal to the spine of the binder; and

FIG. 29 illustrates in perspective a plurality of binders manufacturedby the apparatus of the present invention and stacked in a box bystacking means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As previously mentioned, thepreferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention isutilized to manufacture a binder of the type disclosed in McKowen U.S.Pat. No. 3,175,847. U.S. Pat. No. 3,175,847 is incorporated herewith byreference. This binder is generically described in the art as athreepiece binder and is illustrated in FIG. 1 in its finishedconfiguration. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components whichcomprise the particular binder which the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is designed to manufacture.

Specifically, the separate parts of the binder include a case 10, anouter spine 12, an inner spine 14, a cover sheet 16 for the outer spine,a metal 18, and a pair of rivets 20 and 22 which are utilized to fastenthe entier assembly together.

The cover 10 may be fabricated in any of a number of ways. Typically,the cover 10 includes a flexible center section 24 with stiff side boardsections 26 and 28 on opposite sides of the center section 24 to formthe hard covers of the binder. A plurality of four openings 31, 32, 33and 34 are defined along a center line axis of the center section 24.The openings 31-34 are adapted to receive rivet studs 41 and 44 andspine binding studs 42 and 43 of outer spine 12. The outer spine 12 aswell as the inner spine 14 are typically fabricated from a plasticmaterial.

The inner spine 14 likewise includes four stud openings 51-54 adapted toreceive the studs 41-44 respectively. During assembly of the binder, thespine binding studs 41 and 43 are positioned through openings 32 and 33of center section 24 thence through openings 52 and 53 of inner spine14. Studs 41 and 43 then are compressed to lock the spine members 12 and14 together on opposite sides of the center section 24. The metal 18 isthen positioned over the inner spine so that metal openings 61 and 64respectively cooperate with studs 41 and 44. The rivets 22 and 20 arenext positioned through the openings 61 and 64 respectively to cooperatewith the studs 41 and 44 respectively and hold the entire assembly in afixed finished configuration.

As an optional and additional feature of the binder which ismanufactured by the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention, the cover sheet 16 is positioned about the outer spine 12 inthe manner illustrated in FIG. 3. That is, the cover sheet 16 includes acenter portion 66, a first outside fold 68 and a second outside fold 70.Typically, the cover sheet 16 will be a cloth or a plastic type materialhaving, perhaps, decorative printing or markings thereon so that theouter spine of the binder will be provided with a decorative covering.

The folds 68 and 70 are flexible. Each fold includes openings as at 72and 74 respectively which permit the folds 68 and 70 to be positionedover the stud 44 and flat against the inside surface of the outer spine12. It will also be noted in FIG. 3 that the stud 44 includes a centerpassage 76 to facilitate the positioning of the rivet 20in cooperationwith the stud 44 as described below. a

In the end view of FIG. 4, the binder construction is illustrated in anassembled configuration. As shown, the rivet 20 cooperates with the stud44 so that the rivet 20 is securely held by the stud 44. This is due inpart to the fact that the stud 44 is fashioned from a plastic materialwhich tends to grip the rivet 20 subsequent to driving the rivet 20 intothe stud 44. Referring again to FIG. 2,the spine binding stud ,43 justextends through the opening 53 of the inner spine 14 so that the stud 43can be flared by means of heat, compression, or heat and compression torigidlysecure the components of the binder together. I

The foregoing has been a detailed description of the binder asmanufactured by the disclosed preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Although the disclosure discusses a preferred embodiment formanufacturing a particular hinder, the scope of the invention is not tobe limited to either the apparatus to manufacture this particular binderor the specific apparatus described.

I. Brief Detailed Description Now referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, thereis illustrated in various manners the construction and arrnagment of theentire apparatus comprising the invention. In FIG. 5, a schematic planview illustrates the layout of the apparatus of the invention. The workstations of the invention are sequentially numbered 1 through 4. Station1 willhereinafter be termed the punch station. Station 2 willhereinafter be termed the spine station. Station 3 will hereinafter betermed the metal station. Station 4 will hereinafter be termed the rivetstation. The binder is manufactured in sequential steps as it moves fromstation 1 through station 4. a

FIG. 6 illustrates this arrangement in greater detail. FIG. 7 is acomplete perspective view of the entire binder manufacturing apparatus.The following discussion will briefly set forth the arrangement of eachstation of the invention'by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7. A more detaileddescription will then be provided for each station. i

A. PunchStation The punch station 1 includes a magazine 82 which isfilled with a plurality of cases 10 stacked one upon the other. Thecases 10 are stacked adjacent a platform 84. A plate 86 driven by ahydraulic cylinder 88 and at tached linkage 90 slides back and forthbeneath the stack of cases 10 thereby discharging a single case from themagazine 82 to a position on the platform 84 beneath a punch 92. Oncethe case is positioned beneath the punch 92, appropriate sensingcircuitry causes the punch to operate, thereby precisely punching theopenings 31-34 in the case 10. As an optional feature of the punchstation, a glue dispenser 94 will apply desired amounts of glue to theunderside of the case 10. In the following description, it should bekept in mind that the underside of the case 10 coincides with theoutside of the finished product binder. l

Subsequent to application of the glue to the case and punching of theopening 31-34 inthe center section of one case 10, the plate 86 drivesanother case 10 onto platform 84. This second case 10 engages and drivesthe punched case 10 onto a conveyor 96. The conveyor 96 then operates totransport the punched case 10 to the second or spine station 2.

B. Spine Station At the spine station 2, a single cover sheet 16 from astack of cover sheets is transported by means of a transport mechanism152 to a central station position or pocket assembly 154. Next, theouter spine 12 is transferred from a magazine of outer spines (notshown) via an outer spine transport arm mechanism 156. The outer spine12 is positioned over the cover sheet 16 and a folding arm mechanism(not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) bends the outside folds 68 and of cover 16about the outer spine 12.

Next, the case 10 is conveyed over the central station position with thecenter section 24 of the case 10 aligned so that the studs 41-44 of theouter spine 12 extend through the appropriate openings 31-34 punched atthe punch station 2. Then, an inner spine arm transport mechanism 158transports an inner spine 14 over the center section 24 of the case 10.An anvil 160 holds the spine members 12 and 14 and case together andpunches as at 162 and 164 compress studs 42 and 43 to lock the spinemembers 12 and 14, case 10 and cover 16 together. The binder is thenconveyed to the metal station 3 via a conveyor.

C. Metal Station At the metal station 3, a magazine 166 discharges asingle metal 18 over the inner spine 14 of each binder. The studs 41 and44 tend to hold the metal 18 in a fixed position once the metal 18 ispositioned on the inner spine 14. The binder is then transported to thefinal assembly station or rivet station 4.

D. Rivet Station At the rivet station 4, the metal 18 is gripped intoposition against the binder and rivets 20 and 22 are discharged andhammered into the appropriate studs 41 and 44 by means of hammermechanisms 352 and 354. The finished binder is then released from therivet station 4 and discharged by means of a conveyor from theapparatus.

II. Complete Detailed Description In the following detailed discussioneach of these four stations will be discussed serially in detail duringthe discussion, reference will be made to FIG. 8 which sets forth agraphical representation of the sequential operation of the variousstations. Also, during the discussion, reference will be made to FIGS.9-12 relative to the punch station 1; FIGS. 13-26 relative to the spinestation-2; FIG. 27 relative to the metal station 3; and FIG. 28 relativeto the rivet station 4.

A. Punch Station As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the punch station 1 isthe first station for the apparatus. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a partialperspective view of the punch station 1. The magazine 82 is comprised offour vertical guide arms 101-104. The case 10 of a binder is positionedin these guide arms with the outside of the case 10 facing downward. Thecase 10 is stretched out in a flat position for engagement by the plate86 which slides over the platform 84 via linkage 90 in response tooperation of cylinder 88. Plate 86 pushes a single case 10 to a positionbeneath the punch 92. Simultaneously, a case 10 previously beneath punch92 is discharged onto the conveyor 96.

The punch 92 includes a guide plate 106 slidably mounted on four guiderods 108-111. The guide rods 108-111 are mounted on case guides 113 and114. The guides 113 and 114 serve to align the case 10 in a fixedposition beneath the punch 92. A drive rod 116 is rigidly attached tothe plate 106 and is driven in response to a signal to a coil 115mounted in a fixed position over the plate 106. Thus, when an electricsignal activates the coil 115, the rod 113 causes the plate 106 andattached punches 117, as illustratedin FIG. 12, to descend through thecenter portion of a case 10 positioned beneath the plate 106.

Referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the plate 106 includes aseries of punches as at 117 cooperative with punch openings as at 119 inplate 84. The punches 117 thus cooperate with openings 119 to providecomplete shearing of the material comprising the case 10. As illustratedin FIG. 12, the punch 117 may be replaced by removing a threadedretaining nut 121 which holds the flanged punch 117 in position in theplate 106. In this manner, the length of the punch 117 may be controlleddepending upon the requirements. Also, it is easy to replace a brokenpunch with this construction.

FIG. 11 discloses a control circuit for the punch station. Power issupplied by input lines 123 and 124. The power supply is fused by fuse125 and a console start switch 126 is provided to activate the punchstation. The switch 126 is mounted in a panel 128 as illustrated in FIG.7. Once the switch 126 is activated to close the circuit, a telltalelight 129 operates to indicate that the punch station 1 is activated.

Upon activation of the switch 126, a normally closed relay 130 remainsin its closed position. A second normally open micro-switch or relay 131also closes when a conveyor feed for the spine station 2 reversesindicating a case 10 has been delivered from the punch station 1 intothe spine station 2. Thus, when the relay 131 is closed, power issupplied to control a control solenoid [32F associated with thepneumatic input to the cylinder 88. The cylinder 88 is then operated todrive its rod 89, attached linkage 90 and thus the plate 86 forwardthrough the magazine 82, thereby driving a case 10 to a position beneaththe punch 92.

When the case 10 has reached a position beneath the punch 92, aposition-sensitive micro-switch opens the normally closed relay 130 andcloses the normally open relay 133. Relay 133 operates the coil 115Dassociated with the punch 92 to drive the punch 92 in the verticallydescending direction. This causes the punch 92 to make the openings31-34 in the case 10.

At the end of the punch stroke, a position-sensitive switch closes thenormally open relay 134 which causes the coil 115U to drive the rod 113in a vertically ascending direction. Simultaneously, the coil 132Bassociated with the cylinder 88 is actuated as described above to returnplate 86 to its original position. Each of the position-sensitive relaysresponds to the position of the plate 86 or punch plate 106 as they movethrough their cycle of operation.

The punch cycle then commences again with a case 10 being positionedover the conveyor 96 as another case is positioned below punch 92.

Upon demand then, the cycle of switching will commence and continue inthe manner described above. The cases 10 are thus punched one at a timein the center portion 24 and are delivered via the conveyor 96 to thespine station 2 of the device.

Referring to FIG. 9, as a case 10 is placed over conveyor 96, a seriesof pivotal, parallel bars 98 mounted on a bracket comprised of rods 97connected to cross braces 100 support the case 10 above the conveyor.Only one cross brace is shown, although a parallel brace 100 isprovided. Bars 98 pivot about rods 97 as an axis. When the coil 132Boperates to retract plate 86, a coil is also energized to operate asolenoid 143. The solenoid 143 moves a lever arm 144 to pivot the bars98 in a counterclockwise direction. The case 10 thus drops uniformlyonto the conveyor 96. Simultaneously, with the energization of coil 140,which is part of a contactor 141, a clutch coil 138 is energized. Whenthe clutch coil 138 is energized, a mechanical coupling is effectedbetween a continuously operating motor 136 and the conveyor 96. Thiscauses the conveyor 96 to commence operation by moving in the directionof the arrow in FIG. 9.

The conveyor 96 includes stops 99 which drive the case 10 to the spinestation 2. As the case 10 approaches the proper position relative to thespine station 2, a travel limit relay 135 in FIG. 11 is operated tode-energize the coil 140. The solenoid 143 is thus deenergized to causethe rods 98 to assume their original position illustrated in FIG. 9. Theconveyor 96 also ceases to operate since the clutch coil 138 isdeenergized.

An optional gluing operation is possible as illustrated in FIG. 10.There the glue nozzle 94 is positioned beneath the case 10 and plate 86.The glue nozzle 94 is positioned to lay down a strip of glue along theback outside center portion 24 of the case 10 as case 10 is beingtransported into position beneath the punch 92. Typically, a glue gunsystem of the type sold by the Fox Division of The Arc Corporation canbe utilized.

In the described embodiment, the operation of the glue gun 94 iscontrolled by a cam 145 mounted on plate 86 as illustrated in FIG. 9.Cam 145 energizes a micro-switch 146 as the plate 86 traverses a path toplace the case 10 under punch 92. That is, a follower 146A of switch 146responds to cam 145 to operate the glue gun 94. As the micro-switch 146completes a circuit, the glue gun system commences operation for apre-set period of time and discharges glue onto the moving case 10.Thus, the micro-switch 146 is operated each time it engages anindentation on the cam 145 whenever the cam is moved in a forwarddirection to drive a case under the punch 92.

B. Spine Station Referring to FIG. 7, the spine station 2 is positionedto receive a case 10 from the punch station 1. FIGS. 7, 8 and 13-25illustrate the construction of the spine station 2.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 13, spine station 2 is mounted on a frame whichis positioned intermediate the punch station 1 and the metal station 3.A single electric motor 172 is mounted on the frame 170 and is operativethrough a clutch 173 and a transmission 174 to drive a shaft 175. Theshaft 175 has a plurality of attached cams and gears which throughvarious mechanical linkages operate the spine station 2.

The shaft 175 is mounted for rotation in bearings 176, 177 and 178.Rigidly attached to the shaft 175 and operative to rotate in unison withthe shaft are a plurality of gears or cams as follows: barrel cam 180which is linked to operate a mechanism for transferring a cover 16 intoposition in the spine station 2; sprocket 181 (also illustrated in FIG.14) which is operative to raise and lower a head assembly associatedwith fastening the spine members 12 and 14 together; cam 182(illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 20) which is operative to feed in the outerspine member 12 into position in the spine station 2; cam 183 which isoperative to raise or lower a vacuum tube arrangement associated withthe outer spine positioningmechanism; a cam 184 which is operative tomove a pocket assembly in which the cover 16 and spine 12 arepositioned; cam 185 which is associated with the vacuum tube arrangementfor positioning the inner spine member 14; cam 186 which operates thecarrier mechanism operative to feed an inner spine member 14 intoposition in the spine station (also illustrated in FIG. 20); cam 187which operates through a linkage to move the case into position withinthe spine station 2; cam 88 which'is operative to remove the case 10from the spine station 2; a second barrel cam 189 which is operative totransport a head assembly into and out of position over the center ofthe spine station during the operation of the spine station; and asprocket 190 which drives a chain 191 that, in turn, drives anothersprocket 192. Sprocket 192 is operative to rotate a shaft 193. The shaft193 has a plurality of cams 194-199 mounted thereon. As the cams 194-199are rotated they sequentially operate switches 200-205 respectively tothereby control operation of vacuum lines associated with the spinestation 2 in the manner' to be described below. As illustrated in FIG.13, the product flow or flow of the case 10 is from right to leftsubstantially along the flow line 207. The sequence of operation of thespine station 2 will now be discussed in the context of the order of theoperations performed by the spine station 2.

First, it is to be remembered that a case 10 has been positionedadjacent the spine station 2 by the conveyor 96 from the punchstation 1. Before the case 10 is fed into the spine station 2, it isnecessary to position a cover 16 and an outer spine member 12 in acenter pocket 210 of the spine station 2. This sequence of operation isillustrated in FIG. 19(A).

As illustrated in FIG. 19 and also by referring to FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and21, the pocket 210 which is positioned in a center portion of the spinestation 2 hasassociated therewith a head 211 to be more fully describedbelow A cover transfer plate 212 is also associated therewith andincludesa plurality of vacuum ports 213 as illustrated in FIG. 17. Theplate 212 is thus positioned against a cover 16 positioned in a magazine214.

' Magazine 214 is slidably mounted on rods 214A and 2148. A member 214Cis biasedby springs 214D to engage inagazine 214 and position themagazine 214 in snug communication with plate 212 as shown in FIG. 15.Additional covers 16 may be placed in magazine 214 by manually movingthe magazine 214 against the spring 214D and inserting covers 16 intothe magnzine 214.

The vacuum ports 213 of 1 plate 212 are activated through a vacuum line215 to provide a slight vacuum pressure on the cover 16. Vacuum to thevacuum line 215 is initiated by operation of cam 194 and operatingswitch 200 illustrated in FIG. 13, which in turn operates as shaft 175is rotated.

The plate 212 is then transferred along the path illustratedschematically in FIGS. and 19(A) so that the cover 16 is likewisetransferred from the cover magazine 214 to a position directly over thepocket 210. The transfer of the plate 212 is accomplished by the linkageillustrated in FIGS. 13, 15 and 16.

Referring first to FIG. 13, a follower 216 is associated with a linkagearm 217. The follower 216 follows a cam track 218 in thebarrel cam 180as the barrel cam 180 is rotated by virtue of rotation of the shaft 175.Linkage arm 217 is pivoted about a pivot axis 219 and operates, in turn,to drive a rack 220 through a rod 221 and arm 221A in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 16. The rack 220 drives a pinion 222 which is, inturn, attached to a plate support arm 223. The plate 212 also has asecond plate support arm 224 pivotally attached thereto.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the plate 212 has a firstsidedesignated by the letter A and an opposite, parallel side designated .bythe letter B. The linkage mechanism just described transfers the platefrom the magazine 214 illustrated in FIG. 15 to the position shown inphantom in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. When so transferred, the plate 212operates to place the cover 16 over the pocket 210, the pocket 210 beingmounted in between bed plates 225A and 2258 as illustrated in FIG. 21.As the plate 212 positions the cover 16 over the pocket 210, a releasevalve 226 for the vacuum lines 215 engage a stop (not shown) on bed 225Bto quickly bleed air into lines 215 and release the vacuum in the ports213. This causes the cover 16 to be deposited onto the beds 225A, 2258and pocket 210. The

barrel cam 180 then continues on its rotational cycle thus removing theplate 212 from over the pocket 210, as illustrated in FIG. 19(B).Simultaneously, with release of cover 16 by ports 213, a vacuum isapplied to the cover 16 through ports 256 via lines 255 as a result ofoperation of the cam 196 on the valve switch 203. This is indicatedsymbolically in FIG. 19(B) by the letter V and the arrows associatedwith the cover 16 and is further illustrated in FIG. 21.

Simultaneously, the head mechanism 211 is positioned over the pocket210. As shown in FIG. 13, this positioning is effected by a cam track228 of the rotating barrel cam 189. A cam follower 229 for track 228 isattached to a linkage arm 230 and is pivotal about a shaft 231. Arm 230acts through a linkage rod 233 and drives a translatable carriage 232 asshown in FIG. 26.

The carriage 232 is thus translated on rods 253 and 254 to the right inFIG. 26 and FIG. 13 so that the head 211 is positioned over the pocket210 as illustrated in FIG. 19(C).

Simultaneous with positioning of the head 211 over the pocket 210, theouter spine member 12 is also positioned over the cover 16 asillustrated schematically in FIG. 19(C). The mechanism for feeding inthe outer spine 12 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 14 and FIG. 20. Thismechanism includes the cam 182 which rotates on the shaft 175. The cam182 includes an activating lobe 235 which is followed by a follower235A. The follower 235A is attached to a biased gear segment 236. Thegear segment 236 is pivotal about a shaft 237 and cooperates with apinion 238 on a shaft 238A. Rotation of pinion 238 causes a likerotation of pinion 239A which, in turn, drives a chain 239. The chain239 extends over idler gears 239B, 239C and 239D and is attached to apair of carriage arms 240 and 241. The carriage arms 240 and 241 may bemoved to the right in FIG. 20 to the position shown in FIG. 14 by thechain 239 and thus position an outer spine 12 over the pocket 210.

The outer spine 12 is placed on the carriage arms 240 and 241 from amagazine v242 for the outer spines 12 shown in FIGS. 7 and 20. Thisarrangement employs the cam 183 (in FIG. 20) which had associatedtherewith a follower 243 attached to a pivoted linkage arm 244. Linkagearm 244 is pivoted about pivot point 245 and operates to drive a rod 246which, in turn, raises and lowers a vacuum plate assembly 247.

The vacuum plate assembly 247 includes a vacuum plate 248 positioned ona mounting bracket 249. A flexible vacuum hose 250 connects with thevacuum plate 248 and with a plurality of vacuum tubes 251. Prior todriving the arms 240 and 241 into position over the pocket 210 the cam183 operates to drive the rod 246 and vacuum assembly 247 upward so asto engage an outer spine 12. The vacuum tubes 251 are then provided withvacuum pressure through the hose 250 upon contact with the outer spine12. This negative pressure is effected by cam 195 operating valve switch210 for line 250 in FIG. 13. The outer spine 12 is pulled from themagazine 242 and downward as rod 246 is moved downward toward the arms240 and 241. Upon reaching the arms 240 and 241, the vacuum is releasedby operation of cam 195. In this manner, an outer cover is placed on thearms 240 and 241 ready for positioning over the pocket 210. The arms 240and 241 then proceed to place the spine 12 over the pocket 210 in themanner previously described.

After the spine 12 is placed over the pocket 210, the head 211 is madeto operate and drive the spine 12 between the arms 240 and 241 and intothe pocket 210. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 19(D) and FIG.19(E) wherein the head 211 is driven downward to engage the spine 12 andthe cover 16. It should be noted that during this sequence of operationthe cover 16 is maintained in position by vacuum ports in contact withthe cover 16. This prevents the cover 16 from sliding out of positionover the pocket 210, particularly when the spine 12 is driven downwardinto engagement therewith. This vacuum arrangement is illustrated ingreater detail in FIG. 21 and was discussed, in part, above.

Referring to FIG. 18, FIG. 21, and FIG. 21(A), the pocket 210 issupported on a pocket support rod 260. The pocket support rod 260 may beoperated to move the pocket 210 up and down as required into and out ofa position between the beds 225A and 225B. The pocket 210 is movedupward by the cam 184 in FIG. 13. The cam 184 directly engages afollower (not shown) attached to the rod 260 to drive the pocket upwardor to permit downward movement of the pocket 210 since the pocket 210 isbiased downward by a spring (not shown) attached between pocket 210 andthe frame 170.

Referring to FIG. 19(F), it will be seen that once the outer spine 12and cover 16 are positioned in the pocket 210 by the head 211, they areretained in position by vacuum ports 257 in FIG. 21A of pocket 210 andports 256 of beds 225A and 2253. This maintains the cover 16 in positionin the pocket 210.

The structure for maintaining the spine 12 in the pocket 210 is depictedin FIG. 21A. The pocket 210 is movable on the rod 260. Attachedpivotally to the end of the pocket 210 is a plate 216. The outside ofthe plate 261 includes an inclined cam 262 which is adapted to engage afixed cam 263. Cam 263 is attached to the frame 170 of the apparatus.During operation of the spine station 2 as illustrated in FIG. 19(F),the rod 260 causes the pocket 210 to be lowered. As this occurs, the cam262 engages the fixed cam 263 driving the plate 261 about its pivotalaxis and against the spine member 12 in the pocket 210.

It will be noted that the pocket 210 has a curvature substantiallyidentical to the curvature of the spine 12. With the ends of the spine12 engaged by and helf between the plate 216 at each end of pocket 210,the pocket 210 may be lowered even further. As the pocket 210 islowered, it causes the cover 16 to be drawn between the beds 255A and255B. This causes the flaps or edge portions of the cover 16 to befolded upward. This upward folding action is assisted by removal ofvacuum through the passages 255.

After the pocket 210 is lowered, the side flaps 0r folds 68 and 70 ofthe cover 16 are folded over the outer spine 12. This is illustratedschematically in FIGS. 19(G) and 19(H). The apparatus utilized toachieve this folding motion is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 24.Referring to FIG. 24, a pair of fold-over plates 264 and 265 arepositioned on opposite sides of the pocket 210 and are pivotal aboutshafts 266 and 267 respectively. Each plate 264 and 265 is comprised ofan arcuate sheet 268 and 269 respectively which is adapted to engage oneside or the other of the cover 16. Each sheet 268 and 269 respectivelyis, in turn, attached to spring biased arms 270 and 271. Thus, the arm270 is biased by a spring 273 in a counterclockwise direction about theshaft 266. A cam surface 274 of the arm 270 engages a follower 275attached to the end of a rod 276.

The sheet 268 extends the length of the pocket 210. Thus, uponengagement of the follower 275 with the cam surface 274 to bias the arm270 against the spring 273, the sheet 268 will be caused to move aboutthe axis 266 in a clockwise direction and engage the flap 68 of cover 16in the manner shown in FIG. 19(G). The fold-over plate 265 operates insubstantially the same manner and operates to fold over the oppositeflap 70 of the cover 16 as schematically illustrated in FIG. 19(H).

It should be noted that the fold-over plates 264 and 265 fold the flaps68 and 70 so that the punched flap openings, illustrated in FIG. 2, fitover the spine projections 41-44 in FIG. 2. This locks the cover 16 in afixed rigid position about the outer spine 12.

The plate 265 is driven by the following described mechanism. The rod276 is driven in response to a cam 184A attached to rotatecoincidentally with cam 184 as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 24. Cam 184drives a follower path 184C and thus the rod 276 as shown in FIG. 24.Another cam 184B on shaft and also rotating coincidentally with cam 184operates to drive fold-over plate 264 in a similar manner.

The next operation performed by the spine station 2 is movement of thecase 10 into position over the pocket 210. Attention is directed toFIGS. 7, 13, 15A and 19 wherein-(particularly in FIG. 15A) there isillustrated a means by which the case 10 is positioned over the pocket210. This means includes a pusher assembly 278 which is mounted on achain 294. The pusher assembly 278 engages a case 10 and drives it inthe direction of path 207 into a precise position over the pocket 210.Simultaneously, the pocket 210 is raised by operation of the support rod260 so that the spine 12 and cover 16 are brought into position againstthe center back portion 24 of the case 10. This is illustratedschematically in FIG. 19(1).

The pusher assembly 278 is operated in response to the operation of cam187 by a mechanical linkage in frame 170. FIG. 15A is a diagrammaticview of this mechanical linkage which drives pusher 278 in response torotation of cam 187. The cam 187 rotates on the shaft 175. A follower281 is mounted on a pivoted arm

1. An apparatus for manufacturing binders of the type including a case,at least one spine member, a metal, and fastening means for fasteningsaid spine and metal in coopeative relationship with said bindercomprising, in combination: means for making openings through said case,means for positioning said spine with said case in a predeterminedgeometrical relationship with said openings, means for positioning saidmetal in cooperation with said spine and said case, and means forsecuring said fastening means through said metal in said case and saidspine.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said binder is of the typewhich includes an inner spine member and an outer spine member, saidmetal being contacted with said inner spine member and wherein saidmeans for positioning said spine comprises, means for positioning saidcase to receive said spine members, means for transporting said outerspine member to the outside surface of said case and maintaining saidouter spine member against said case, means for transporting said innerspine member to the inside surface of said case and for maintaining saidinner spine member against said case, and means for fastening said spinemembers together.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means formaking openings comprises, means for aligNing said cover, means formaking openings through said case when said case is held in said alignedposition, and means for discharging said case subsequent to providingopenings therethrough.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including means forapplying adhesive to said case prior to the attachment of said spine andsaid metal.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for makingopenings includes means for aligning a single cover prior to making saidopenings through said case.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidmeans for positioning said spine includes means for wrapping said spinewith material prior to positioning said spine relative to said case. 7.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for making openingscomprises a platform for said case, cover positioning means for drivingsaid case onto said platform, punch means positioned over said platformto punch said case subsequent to positioning thereof by said casepositioning means, control means for operating said means forpositioning said punch means, and means for discharging said casesubsequent to making openings therethrough by said punch means.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said case positioning means comprise adrive plate for engaging said case and moving said case to a requiredposition on said platform.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein saidplatform includes anvil means therein cooperative with one side of saidcase and hammer means cooperative with the opposite side of said caseand said anvil means to secure said case in fixed, desired positionsubsequent to punching openings therethrough.
 10. The apparatus of claim7 including adhesive dispensing means for placing adhesive on said caseprior to attachment of said spine member thereto.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 7 including magazine means for dispensing cases serially to saidpunch means.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 including transport means fortransporting said cases from said means for making openings in saidcases to said means for positioning said spine with said case. 13.Apparatus for providing precisely positioned openings in the case of aloose-leaf binder during the manufacturing operation of said bindercomprising, in combination, a platform for receiving said case, a platefor driving said case on said platform, an anvil incorporated as aportion of said platform, a hammer cooperable with said case and saidanvil to hold said case in a fixed position on said platform, meansassociated with said hammer to provide openings through said case andcontrol means to control the sequence of operation of said platform andsaid means for providing openings in said case.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 including means for dispensing adhesive onto said case tothereby facilitate cooperation of said case with a spine of a binderduring a manufacturing operation.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13including guide means on said platform for assisting in the positioningof said case.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means forpositioning said spine with said case comprise a separate workingsection, including means for positioning said case in said station incooperation with an outer spine member and an inner spine member, one ofsaid spine members including projections for extending through saidopenings defined in said case and adapted to cooperate with said otherspine member.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means forpositioning said spine with said cover comprises a spine carrying memberfor carrying a spine to a first position, means for maintaining saidspine member in said first position, means for transporting said caseover said spine member in said first position, such that said spinemember comprises the outer spine member of said binder, means fortransporting an inner spine to said first position on the opposite sideof said case and means for fastening said spine members together. 18.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said spInewith said case includes a frame, means for storing spines in said frame,means for discharging and positioning a single spine at a work positionin said frame, means for subsequently transporting a case to said workposition, and means for attaching said spine to said case.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for positioning said spine withsaid case includes a frame, means for transporting a single spine to awork position in said frame, means for subsequently transporting a caseto said work position, and means for attaching said spine to said case.20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for positioning saidspine with said case includes frame means, a pair of spine transportarms, means in said frame means for operating said transport arms andmoving said arms from a first position for receipt of a spine to asecond spine discharge position at a work position, means fordischarging said spine at said work position, means for subsequentlypositioning a case at said work position, and means for attaching saidspine to said case.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein at least twopairs of spine transport arms are provided to transport said spinemembers.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said work positionincludes a pocket member for receipt of said spine.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 21 wherein said work position includes means for maintaining saidspine member in a relatively fixed immovable position, said meansincluding a pocket member for receipt of said spine.
 24. The apparatusof claim 20 wherein said work position includes a pocket member havingat least one pivotal end plate, said end plate adapted to pivot andengage a spine member and hold said spine member in said pocket uponrelease of said spine member to said work position.
 25. The apparatus ofclaim 20 including vacuum port means for positioning a spine on saidspine transport arms.
 26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said meansfor attaching said spine to said case includes a head assembly, meansfor transporting said head assembly over said work position subsequentto positioning said case over said spine, said head assembly includingmeans for engaging and fastening said spine to said case.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 20 including means for positioning a cover over saidspines before said spines in said case are attached together.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 20 including a cover positioning mechanism mounted onsaid frame, said cover positioning mechanism operative to position acover at said work position prior to placement of said spine at saidwork position.
 29. The apparatus of claim 28 including means forwrapping said spine with said cover prior to positioning of said caseover said spine.
 30. The apparatus of claim 20 including means forpositioning a cover at said work position prior to placement of saidspine, means for wrapping said cover about said spine, means forsubsequently positioning said case over said wrapped spine, means forpositioning a second spine over said case and said spine, and means forattaching said spines together in rigid relationship on opposite sidesof said case.
 31. The apparatus of claim 20 including means for removingthe assembled spine and case from said work position and subsequentlypositioning said assembled spine and case to receive said metal.
 32. Theapparatus of claim 20 wherein said frame means has motor means mountedthereon, said motor means operative to drive a shaft, said shaftincluding a plurality of mechanical linkages to drive said spinetransport arms, said means for positioning said case and said means forattaching said spine to said case.
 33. The apparatus of claim 20 whereinsaid frame means includes means for providing vacuum suction selectivelyto said work position during the assembly operation performed by saidapparatus.
 34. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for securingsaid fastening means comprises at least one apparatus for dispensing afastener into fAstening cooperation with said binder, said means fordispensing being positioned on a frame and mounted over a conveyor fortransporting said case.
 35. The apparatus of claim 34 including meansfor grasping and maintaining said case, spine and metal in a fixedposition during attachment of fastening means.